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Today's NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (10/12/24)

The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on October 12, 2024. Andy's NHL DFS goalies, forward line stacks, and defensemen.

Hello Rotoballers! The NHL season is back in full swing and we have our first action-packed Saturday slate of the season.

In this piece, I will discuss my favorite forward lines to target, defensemen, and goalies in tonight's action. Be sure to keep updated with any injury notes on our newsfeed before setting your lineup.

If you have any questions about further strategy and managing the slate, feel free to chat with me on X @ASmith_FS. All player salaries will be listed as ($DK/FD)

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Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks

New York Rangers L2 - Alexis Lafreniere ($4,800/6,400) - Vincent Trocheck ($6,300/8,100) - Artemi Panarin ($7,600/8,600)

Opponent - Utah Hockey Club

My first line to target this evening was one of the best offensive lines last season. Led by Artemi Panarin, this Ranger line generated an impressive 3.13 xGoals for 60 minutes last season, according to MoneyPuck, which was one of the top marks in the sport. All forwards enjoyed the best seasons of their careers, with Panarin scoring an incredible 120 points.

In their home opener, they will welcome the Utah Hockey Club, who have allowed the eighth-highest expected goal total this season. Through their first two games, they have allowed six goals, including four to the New York Islanders on Thursday evening.

The Rangers dismantled the Pittsburgh Penguins in their season opener and should be able to do the same against an even weaker Utah club.

Toronto Maple Leafs L1 - Mitch Marner ($6,100/8,300) - Auston Matthews ($9,800/8,800) - Matthew Knies ($3,500/4,000)

Opponent- Pittsburgh Penguins

After getting shut out in their season opener, Toronto bounced back in their second game by defeating the New Jersey Devils 4-2. 

However, the top line has yet to get on the scoresheet but has very strong underlying metrics and has a great matchup this evening to break out of their minor slump.

The top unit, led by Auston Matthews, has been a force to be reckoned with, generating the fifth-highest expected goals among forward lines in the sport. Their impressive 42-shot attempts rank second-highest in the league, making them a safe play with high upside.

This evening, they face the Pittsburgh Penguins, who hold the third-highest Expected Goals Against mark of 5.95 per MoneyPuck. They will likely face Tristan Jarry, who surrendered six goals in their opener.

Edmonton Oilers L1 - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($5,500/7,300) - Connor McDavid ($9,500/9,000) - Zach Hyman ($7,500/8,100)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Connor McDavid and the Oilers were kept off the scoresheet in their first game as Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 30 shots he saw.

However, they have an excellent opportunity to get themselves back on track and avoid another early-season slump they went through last season. On Saturday, they will face the Chicago Blackhawks, who held a 2.83 Expected Goals against per 60 last season, which is the third-highest mark.

They already had a tough start this season, allowing five goals to the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night.

Last season, this Oilers line held the highest 66.6 xGoal% per MoneyPuck among forward lines who played at least 200 minutes together.

The alternative to McDavid’s line is the second line in Edmonton, centered by Leon Draisaitl and flanked by Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. Both will be very popular but possess some of the highest upside on the slate.

Florida Panthers L1 - Carter Verhaeghe ($7,200/7,600) - Alexsander Barkov ($7,200/7,900) - Sam Reinhart ($7,700/8,100)

Opponent - Buffalo Sabres

My final forward line to target is the top unit of the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. This line was very involved in their season-opening victory over the Boston Bruins, with Reinhart finding the back of the net twice. In their second game, they were held off the scoresheet due to an impressive showing by Ottawa goaltender Linus Ullmark.

Looking under the hood, this line boasts a 64.3% xGoals rate and 3.64 xGoals per 60 minutes per MoneyPuck, both well above the average marks. Last season, this line generated a stellar 66.3 xGoal% percentage, which was second among all forward lines who logged at least 200 minutes of ice time together.

They will face the Buffalo Sabres, which have allowed the fifth-highest 5.48 expected goals against this season

Note: Barkov will not suit up tonight with an ankle injury. Anton Lundell will likely see top minutes and becomes a viable play.

Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP): 

  • COL L1
  • NYR L1

 

Want more NHL DFS tools and content? Our NHL Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Lineup Optimizer, and access to our VIP Discord Chatrooms. Doug Shain (@BanksterDFS) joins the NHL team in 2023 with his proven track record - join in on the winning!

 

Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Evan Bouchard - Edmonton Oilers ($6,600/6,600)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Coming off a career season in which he tallied 18 goals and 64 assists, Evan Bouchard will be quite popular this evening, and rightfully so, in a favorable matchup.

On one of the top power plays last season, Bouchard tallied an impressive 33 points in 5-on-4 situations, the third-highest among defensemen. The Oilers should be in position to put a lot of pucks in the back of the net and Bouchard should be generating much of it from the point.

Erik Gustafsson - Detroit Red Wings ($2,500/4,100)

Opponent - Nashville Predators

Last season, Erik Gustafsson was the quarterback of one of the league’s top power-play units when Adam Fox went down with a knee injury. He tallied 31 total points, with 25 of them coming off assists.

The 32-year-old signed a two-year contract with Detroit this offseason and earned top minutes on their particular team unit over defenseman Mortiz Seider.

In their season opener, Gustafsson tallied an assist on Alex DeBrincat’s power-play goal and was deployed as the point man on the top power-play unit for over five minutes.

Even though he will face a tough goalie in Juuse Saros, he could get on the scoresheet, especially given his special team opportunities.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Toronto Maple Leafs ($3,200/4,00)

Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins

Another defenseman I am targeting is Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Larson has logged 2:33 minutes on the power play through his first two games and generated an impressive 2.19 xGF in 5-on-5 play, according to Natural Stat Trick. On the scoresheet, he has tallied one assist with six shots on goal.

Even though he has not been part of the top powerplay unit, he has provided a spark offensively and is a nice contrarian option to the popular Toronto defenseman pick, Morgan Riley.

As mentioned before, the Penguins have struggled defensively, which should present Toronto with several opportune scoring changes throughout the evening.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

  • Erik Karlsson - Pittsburgh Penguins ($5,400/6,300)
  • Aaron Ekblad - Florida Panthers ($3,900/6,100)
  • Samuel Girard/Cale Maker - Colorado Avalanche ($3,300/4,000)/($8,300/7,900)

 

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Jake Oettinger - Dallas Stars ($8,200/8,300)

Opponent - New York Islanders

Jake Oettinger had a strong showing on Thursday during his season debut. He stopped 32 of 35 shots en route to defeating the Nashville Predators.

Last season, Oettinger took a step back, posting a career-low .905 save percentage, but he still plays behind one of the top defensive teams in the league.

This evening, he will face the New York Islanders, who generated an underwhelming 1.08 Expected Goals For, in their season debut against a weak Utah defensive unit.

Alexander Georgiev - Colorado Avalanche ($8,400/8,400)

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

The 28-year-old had a disappointing season debut. He was pulled early from the game against the Las Vegas Golden Knights after he allowed five goals on just 16 shots. However, he has an excellent opportunity to put that outing in the rearview mirror on Saturday when he faces a weak Columbus offense.

The Blue Jackets currently sit with the fifth-lowest expected goal total, a small improvement from their bottom-ten finish last season.

There is a risk, but the matchup is quite favorable.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

  • Igor Shesterkin - New York Rangers ($8,300/$8,500)
  • Dan Vladar - Calgary Flames ($7,700/7,700)

 

NHL DFS Value Line Stacks of the Day

  • COL L3
  • NYR L3
  • FLA L3
  • PHI L2

NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Corey Heim

Does Not Qualify for Cup Race at Chicago Street Course
LaJohntay Wester

Stands out on Special Teams
Clarke Schmidt

Likely to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Nolan Arenado

Scratched from Saturday's Lineup
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Starting on Saturday
Corbin Carroll

Activated from 10-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Bengals

Shemar Stewart, Bengals Continue Contract Talks, No Progress Made
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade may not Happen Until "August, September"
Ha-Seong Kim

Removed Early During Season Debut
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Sitting Out With Foot Issue
Isaiah Neyor

Impresses at Minicamp
Houston Rockets

Jock Landale Waived by Rockets
Bo Bichette

Back in Blue Jays Lineup
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Considering Returning to Europe
Miles Sanders

Works With Starters During Mandatory Minicamp
Jabari Walker

Signs Two-Way Deal With Sixers
Chimere Dike

Titans Could Move Chimere Dike Inside
Keandre Lambert-Smith

KeAndre Lambert-Smith not Guaranteed Roster Spot
Anthony Bradford

Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job
Byron Young

Still Improving?
Cody Simon

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon
SirVocea Dennis

has Impressive Offseason
Trevor Penning

Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans
Jonathan Kuminga

Warriors Decline Recent Offer for Jonathan Kuminga
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner, Magic Agree to One-Year Deal
Clarke Schmidt

Placed on Injured List
José Soriano

Jose Soriano Throws Gem Against Braves
Robbie Ray

Earns Ninth Win in Complete Game
T.J. Watt

Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market
George Springer

Blasts Two Homers, Drives in Four
James Wood

Goes Yard in Five-Hit Night
Bradley Beal

Suns Discussing Potential Buyout
Los Angeles Lakers

Jaxson Hayes Staying with the Lakers
NBA

Damian Lillard "Open" to Signing With a Team This Offseason
Max Muncy

Out at Least Six Weeks
Clarke Schmidt

Leaves Start with Forearm Tightness
Colson Montgomery

Promoted to the Major Leagues
Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan, Steelers Agree to Three-Year Contract
Max Muncy

Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise
Max Muncy

Out of Thursday's Lineup
James Wood

Joining Home Run Derby
SJ

Sharks Claim Nick Leddy Off Waivers
Max Scherzer

Cleared to Start on Saturday
SJ

Sharks Sign Dmitry Orlov to Two-Year, $13 Million Contract
CAR

Nikolaj Ehlers Joins Hurricanes on Six-Year Contract
Kodai Senga

Could be "in Play" to Return Before All-Star Break
Ha-Seong Kim

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim From Injured List
Chau Smith-Wade

Having Stellar Offseason
Ace Bailey

Inks Rookie Contract With Jazz
Divine Deablo

Could be the Quarterback of the Defense
Isaiah Rodgers

a Likely Starter for the Vikings
Jacob Monk

Sees Plenty of Work With Starters
Avonte Maddox

has Impressed Dan Campbell
Boston Celtics

Josh Minott Inks Deal With Celtics
Chicago Bears

Ruben Hyppolite Shows Notable Improvement
Sandro Mamukelashvili

Heading to Toronto
Daron Payne

Commanders Coaches Impressed With Daron Payne
Danny Gray

Makes Impression During Offseason Workouts
Jared McCain

Not on 76ers Summer League Roster
Dylan Harper

Unavailable for California Classic
COL

Brent Burns Inks One-Year Deal with Avalanche
STL

Blues Land Pius Suter on Two-Year Deal
Morgan Frost

Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
WPG

Gustav Nyquist Moves to Winnipeg
Cody Glass

Devils Re-Sign Cody Glass to Two-Year Deal
PIT

Anthony Mantha Joins Penguins
Cleveland Cavaliers

Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Eric Gordon

Remaining with 76ers
Los Angeles Lakers

Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Emil Heineman

Signs Two-Year Deal with Islanders
Simon Holmstrom

Re-Signs with Islanders for Two Years
UTA

Nate Schmidt Signs Three-Year Deal with Mammoth
UTA

Brandon Tanev Moves to Utah on Three-Year Contract
NJ

Evgenii Dadonov Joins Devils on One-Year Deal
BUF

Sabres Snap Up Alex Lyon on Two-Year Contract
Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum Returning to Dallas
Ryan McLeod

Inks Four-Year Extension with Sabres
NAS

Predators Bring in Nick Perbix on Two-Year Deal
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Has Surgery to Repair a Turf Toe Injury
LA

Cody Ceci Moves to Los Angeles
Charlotte Hornets

Spencer Dinwiddie Lands With Charlotte
Bud Cauley

in Great Form Ahead of John Deere Classic
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

a Player to Avoid at John Deere Classic
Jake Knapp

Riding Momentum Ahead of John Deere Classic
PGA

Sungjae Im Looking for Consistency at John Deere Classic
Ryan Gerard

a Solid Option at John Deere Classic
Rickie Fowler

Looking to Rebound at John Deere Classic
Cameron Champ

a Volatile Option at John Deere Classic
Jackson Suber

Staying Below 70 is Key to Success for Jackson Suber
Kevin Roy

Playing Better Heading into John Deere Classic
Justin Lower

Hoping for Something Positive in Illinois
Ben Kohles

a Long Shot at John Deere Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Attempts to Stop Roller-Coaster Ride
Beau Hossler

Needs a Challenge in Illinois
Harry Higgs

Has Potential at John Deere Classic
Nick Dunlap

Keeps Plugging Through Tough 2025 Season
Milwaukee Bucks

Taurean Prince Staying in Milwaukee
Kevin Yu

a Near Must-Play at TPC Deere Run
PGA

J.T. Poston Returns to John Deere Classic Looking for Another High Finish
Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF